Reid: NRC Commissioner Magwood a 'rat' and 'liar'

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid denounced Nuclear Regulatory Commission member William Magwood as a “first-class rat,” “miserable liar,” “s — t-stirrer” and “tool of the nuclear industry” in a new interview with The Huffington Post — shattering what had seemed to be a Capitol truce on the turmoil that led to the downfall of former NRC Chairman Gregory Jaczko earlier this year.

Reid, a former employer and longtime supporter of Jaczko, also vowed in the interview that Magwood, a Democrat appointed by President Barack Obama, “will never be chairman of anything that takes Senate confirmation.” But that's probably only an academic consideration where the NRC is concerned — the Senate has already confirmed Jaczko's replacement, Allison Macfarlane.

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In the interview published early Monday, Reid cited both Magwood's support for the Yucca Mountain nuclear repository in Nevada and his maneuvering against Jaczko as examples of Magwood's alleged treachery. But Magwood had lots of company in opposing Jaczko — the other three NRC commissioners likewise complained last year about Jaczko's leadership of the agency, including allegations that he overstepped his authority after the Fukushima nuclear disaster and routinely berated employees, especially women.

“Magwood was a s — t-stirrer. He did everything he could do to embarrass Greg Jaczko,” Reid said, according to The Huffington Post, adding that Magwood “is a tool of the nuclear industry” while Jaczko was “the first chair that has never been part of the nuclear industry.”

Reid added that while “I try never to say bad things about people,” Magwood “sat in that chair — right there — and lied to me,” according to the interview. Reid said a senior White House official had assured him that Magwood would oppose Yucca, a major priority of Reid's.

The quotes from Reid were "100 percent accurate,” spokesman Adam Jentleson told POLITICO by email Monday, adding that the majority leader “fully stands behind his comments.” Jentleson said he does not know if Reid ever expressed those views directly to Obama administration officials when they were deciding on replacing Jaczko as NRC chairman.

The Huffington Post was unable to get a comment from Magwood. His office also has not responded to requests from POLITICO for comment.

Jaczko told POLITICO on Monday morning that he has no comment. The NRC’s public affairs office declined to comment as well.

Magwood, a former leader of the U.S. civilian nuclear technology program, told senators in December that he “never really expressed much interest in being chairman,” calling it “a very time-consuming, very difficult job.”

Magwood added that going to the White House with complaints about Jaczko's behavior last year “was a mutual decision among the four of us [commissioners]” — in contrast to The Huffington Post’s description of him as the “coup leader” against Jaczko

The open sniping on the NRC turned into a partisan food fight last year in Congress, where Republicans such as House oversight Chairman Darrell Issa denounced Jaczko as a horrible boss while Democrats like Senate environmental Chairwoman Barbara Boxer hailed him as a champion of nuclear safety. Jaczko wound up announcing his resignation in May rather than finishing out his term.

Macfarlane has pledged a new era of “collegiality” on the commission, and Republican critics of Jaczko have said it's time for the agency to move on from its recent feuding — but this isn't the first sign that Reid isn't so eager to let it go. Earlier this month, an organizer of a legal defense fund for Jaczko said she was expecting a $10,000 check from Reid's leadership PAC.

Darren Goode and Darius Dixon contributed to this report.

This article first appeared on POLITICO Pro at 8:17 a.m. on July 30, 2012.

harry reid calling anybody a liar is akin to bill clinton saying "I did not have sex with that woman, Miss Lewinsky". harry reid lies every time he calls Republicans obstructionist when he has over 30 bills lying on his desk that have been passed and sent over from the house. He refuses to even bring them up for a vote because he is the OBSTRUCTIONIST.

The way it is supposed to work is that when the house passes a bill and sends it over to harry, he brings it to a vote with various amendments or changes the senate wants. After it passes, if it is different from the house version, it goes to conference with house and senate representatives working out the differences. reid refuses to even allow a vote. harry reid is the OBSTRUCTIONIST. One senator should not have this much power. reid is an embarrassment to our country.